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Why Adele's Grammy Award dedication to Beyonce was SO important

Feb 13 2017 by Johnnie Parsons

On music's so-called biggest night, the biggest star in the room at the Grammy Awards was Adele.

Among them was a display of regal brilliance by a heavily pregnant Beyonce, who performed two songs from her highly nominated album Lemonade, with a cast of dancers, and in an outfit part Michael Jackson and part Cleopatra.

Adele later apologised once more when accepting her Song of the Year award.

There might not have been a better way to see the quality level of this year's performances than via the centerpiece gig from the reigning greatest award-show performer of this decade, Beyonce.

Her win for album of the year was more of a surprise. But she lost me when she said to Beyonce that she loves how she makes her black friends feel empowered'. Will it be the one where messaging took center stage, with artists offering statements small and large about the divisive political climate? The official videos for the songs soon found their way to YouTube. She wore a "Persist" armband, in homage to US Senator Elizabeth Warren. She was pitchy from the beginning and never recovered-so she stopped mid-song, cursed on live national television and asked the musicians backing her to start over.

The rappers repeatedly chanted, "We the people" and ended their performance shouting "Resist!"

Ahead of the main awards show, Chance the Rapper won a Grammy for best rap performance, wearing a black hoodie with "Obama" on the back and "thank you" on the front. Sources told the publication she was "very pregnant" and did not want to confirm her performance until at least Saturday for fear she would not be able to take the stage. You're the only reason I do it. Thank you so much. 1989 getting album of the year over To Pimp A Butterfly.

But before Adele's big wins were declared, it was Beyonce time.

Other notable performances included an explosive tribute to Prince by legendary Minneapolis soul band The Time and Bruno Mars, and a dreamy, kaleidoscopic medley by Beyoncé, resplendent (and Afrofuturistic) in a golden crown and sporting a shimmery baby bump. Prince died in April past year, just a few months after Bowie. At Grammy Awards 2017, Adele may have won the top three categories - Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year - pipping Beyonce to the winner's podium but the Hello singer appeared reluctant to win.

Solange Knowles took to social media right after Adele beat Beyonce for Album Of The Year on February 12, making it clear she sided with Frank Ocean!